UEFA and Saudi Arabia in talks to have a Saudi club in the Champions League from 2025

UEFA is the place for big money clubs. They'll fit right in. It was only a matter of what came first the UEFA invitation or the SA request. The only thing that stops this is that the big European clubs feel that this will hamper them. If Madrid, Barcelona, Munich, the English clubs etc. feel this will benefit them the Saudis will be welcomed with open arms.

 

Israel was allowed into Europe because none of the Arab nations would play them after the six days war..and then they just stayed there.

 

The part west of the Ural river (marked in yellow on the map). The Ural mountains and the Ural river form the continental borders between Europe and Asia.

 

are they gonna take the russian teams place

 

"Money talks, bullshit walks"

It will happen.

 

Good for the Arab nations. Europe should have done the same. All israeli teams should be ostracized from international competitions in response to Israel's apartheid against Palestinians.

 

Could be a super league flier!

Saudi Arabia reportedly want a team in the Champions League as they plan a sensational 'wild card' request to UEFA.

• Saudi Arabia want UCL participation
• Ready to propose a 'wild card' entry to UEFA
• Wants Pro League winner in UCL

WHAT HAPPENED? According to a report in Corriere dello Sport, Saudi authorities want the Pro League winners to have a shot at the Champions League from the 2024-25 season. They plan to propose a wild card entry that would allow the Saudi domestic league champions to participate in Europe's top club competition.

THE BIGGER PICTURE: The think tank at Jeddah would request UEFA to discard the current structure of the competition and replace it with a single championship-like format with 36 teams with eight matches for each team before the knockout stages. This would not only enable UEFA to increase the number of matches but also allow the Saudi team to participate in Europe.

AND WHAT'S MORE: If this proposal gets accepted by UEFA, it could potentially see the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, and Neymar play in Europe once again. Moreover, this would undoubtedly further enhance the profile and prestige of the Saudi Pro League on a global scale.

 

This is it, it would be like Turkeys voting for Christmas..

The only way they can attract players is well outwith FFP, comply with FFP nobody goes to Saudi.

 

What happens when an Israeli team plays a Saudi team is another question? Can see this blowing back in UEFAs face if it causes international friction.

Sure they'll come up with some arbitrary rule to avoid it but just makes it stink more.

 

Pathetic they are considering this route with Saudi human rights record, yet again money buys you entry to the top table and * principles.

 

They should be denied on the humans rights violations alone. It’s 2023

 

The complete normalisation of relations between those two states is only a matter of time.The Saudi state can do whatever they want over there without fear or worry over the reaction of their people.The Egyptians are willing participants in the blockade of Gaza as well…it’s * and it’s unfair - but it’s where the situation is at.

 

Won’t be long until we see Paul the Tim posing at Mecca lol

 

Nah mate Mecca FC are pish, no chance they get to the UCL anytime soon.

If they want to add another country they better expand the * tournament. No need for it to be 32 teams. Make it 64 and spread the money evenly.

Gaslighting as * to limit the tournament based on * all - it’s just so Real Madrid can get more money.

 

Ahh * it, let them have it. Their country's a * joke any way. Once their oil runs out (or even better mankind actually stops burning the *) they are completely and irreparably screwed. They have no natural fresh water and other than oil they have hee haw in GDP. I just hope I live long enough to see the collapse of their desert * hole.

 

Tell them to give £100 million to each club currently in CL that isn’t in top 5 leagues.

 

UEFA = Union of really just Everyone Football Association

 

They’ve kept Russian and Ukrainian teams apart for years…

… although not an issue for now as they’ve found a more permanent solution.

 

Might as well just make a world tournament like the World Cup for clubs.

Absolutely ridiculous if they allow Saudi teams to enter. How can you have FFP and ensure clubs follow that then allow these insanely high spending clubs in just because they have money.

I also wonder if clubs who have been done for FFP would then have fair reason to appeal and get reparations?

If this happens, it kills the champions league for me completely.

 

Union of Expensive Football Associations. At this point the European part of their acronym is completely redundant or some of their higher ups could do with some geography lessons.